Radiator unit for hot air furnaces



March 2, 1943. s. VOLK RADIATOR. UNIT FOR nor AIR FURNACES Filed Aug. 29, 1941 INVENTOR. 0/4

' J/dfiey 4 QMA- A TTO N E YS.

Patented Mar. 2, 1943 RADIATOR UNIT FOR HOT AIR'FURNACES Sidney Volk, Benton Harbor, Mich., assignor to Radiation Furnace Corporation, Benton Harbor, Mich.

Application August 29, 1941, Serial No. 408,736

8 Claims. (01, 126-102) This invention relates to improvements in radiator unit for hot air furnaces.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a hot air furnace, particularly of the steel oil burning type, having improved radiator provisions for assuring a thorough, uniform circulation of the fuel gases and a thorough, eficient transfer of the heat therefrom to the air to be heated.

"Second, to provide a furnace of the foregoing type which is of welded steel construction, including a combustion chamber and multiple radiator sections of novel outline and construction associated therewith and arranged in a manner to secure a highly improved circulation of fuel gases and heat transfer therefrom.

Third, to provide a radiator for furnaces of the foregoing type including a plurality of superimposed radiator sections, each of multiple, tall narrow flue construction adapted to transfer a maximum of heat'from fuel gases traversing the same in a highly uniform efficient manner, and to discharge said gases to the chimney in materially cooled and'contracted condition.

Fourth, to provide a radiator or furnace construction of the type described, having improved and readily accessible clean-out and safety or blow-out relief provisions.

Fifth, to provide a radiator for furnaces of the foregoing type which provides a very desirable circulation of fuel gases internally thereof and air to be heated externally thereof in which the transfer of heat is performed with maximumefiiciency.

Further objects relating to details and economies of my invention will appear from the description to follow. A structure embodying the features ofmy invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation of a furnace equipped with the radiator structure of my invention, the furnace sheath or casing being broken-away to illustrate the radiator and the latter being likewise partially broken away and in vertical section.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the heat generating and radiator unit of the furnace being partially broken away andin horizontal section to illustrate structural details.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view in transverse vertical section illustrating the flue construction employed in my radiator,

,This invention relates to a radiator construcdescription proceeds that the same is well adapted for heating systems utilizing gas or solid fuel, having highly desirable provisions for the improved circulation of products of combus- -tion and the transfer of heat therefrom to air to be heated, regardless of the particular fuel employed. Generally stated, the invention resides in the provisions of a multi-section radiator, each of the sections of which is similar and includes multiple annular flues of novel construction arranged for the progressive circulation of the products of combustion from a combustion chamber through the flues of the sections, thence outwardly to the chimney, the fuel gases at this stage being in a substantially cooled and contracted condition. y

Referring to the drawing, the reference numeral l indicates an outer sheath of the furnace 2 which has a suitable sheet metal casing or shell 3 into which air to be heated is supplied by a suitable fan 4 being first cleaned by the filter 5.

The furnace combustion and radiating unit is of welded steel construction and includes a combustion chamber 6 in which suitable burner proprovisions (not shown) are disposed. A suitable blower supplies air to the combustion chamber 6. 'I'l'ii's combustion chamber 6 is of elongated cylindrical outline and extends concentrically of and into the vertically spaced upper and. lower radiator sections 8, 9, respectively, being closed at its top as indicated by the reference numeral l0.

The radiator sections 8, 9 are generally similar in construction, though they differ in details of arrangement to be described. Each thereof is mounted on the combustion chamber 6 in braced supporting relation thereto by Welded ribs H economy, built up of opposed coacting inner and outer arcuate flue elements l4, l5 of channel section, as illustrated in Fig; 3, these elements being disposed .o'ppositelyto' define the flue and welded together at 16 along their upper and lower'meeting lines; The channel sections of the flues are first bent into channels and are then curved to the, desiredarc and then welded together. The respective inner and outer flues l2, l3 are connected to one another at their ends in theaforesaid communicating relation by suitable welding procedure. These'flues are of vertically elongated, narrow hollow section for a purpose to be described.

It will be noted by reference to Fig. 2 that the inner flues l2 of the upper radiator section 8 are in communication with a discharge opening I! adjacent the top of the combustion chamber I by means of a large flue passage l8. Thus fuel gases emanating from the top of the combustion chamber, which is the only point at which the products of combustion are discharged, diverge sideways and enter the inner and outer flues as indicated by the small, solidline arrows to the right in Fig. 2, exit from the upper radiator section, being prevented at this point by means of a safety blow-out closure i9 covering a lateral cleaning opening 26 of substantial size in the upper radiator section in line with passage l8. An asbestos sheet 2| is interposed between the closure l9 and mouth of the opening 2!] to give a very tight seal, and the closure is hinged at its top and is held in place by gravity. This enables the closure to yield and open outwardly in'the event an explosion within the furnace or radiator which will blow out the asbestos sheet. In this event, however, the opening does not remain open after the explosion.

It should be noted that the two inner radiator flues l2 are somewhat narrower than the outer radiator flues l3 to decrease the volume of gases handled thereby. Each of these flues is, however, of substantiallyvertically elongated characted as indicated in Fig. 3, for this particular figuration is of very material importance in the improved heat transfer which the present radiator effects. The diminution of volume of gases handled by the inner radiator equalizes the rate of heat transferred by the flues of each pair and in general improves the operation of the structure.

I desire to emphasize the importance of the vertically elongated hollow cross-section of the four individual flues l2, l3 in each radiator section. This construction entirely prevents the occurrence of a thermally stratified condition interiorly of the flues. There are no internal zones in which the products of combustion are.

at either extremely high or low temperature as compared to other zones, andthe metal walls of the flues are at all times in contact with thegases which are of substantially the same temperature, at any point along the length of a given flue, being relatively high or low, depending on whether it is in the upper or lower section. This, in conjunction with the concept of varying the respective sizes of the flues I2, !3, results in a vary uniform rate of heat transfer indeed.

Leaving the flues I2, l3 of the upper radiator section 8 in the manner indicated by the small solid-line arrows to the left of Fig. 2, the fuel gases pass downwardly through an opening 22 of substantial size in the bottom wall of the section 8, this opening communicating with a similar opening in the top wall of the bottom radiator section 9. Upon entering the said bottom section, the products of combustion diverge laterally and enter the respective inner and outer flues l 2, 13 of said bottom section in the manner indicated by the dotted line arrows at the left in Fig. 2. There now occurs a circulation of fuel gases through the bottom section flues and a resultant highly efficient heat transfer, which is similar in all respects to that described. above with reference to the flues of the top radiator section, save that the temperature of the products of com.

bustion is lower. Exit of the gases in circulating between the top and bottom sections is prevented by safety blow-out closures 23 and interposed asbestos sheets 24 covering the readily accessible openings 25 in the top and bottom sections, and functioning in all respects similar to the closure l9 and asbestos sheet 2! for the similar opening 20.

After traversing the flues of the lower radiator section, the products of combustion pass outwardly as indicated by the small dotted-line arrows to the right in Fig. 2 into the breeching 26 through which the lower section communicates with the chimney. At this point sufficient transfer of heat'from the gases has occurred so that the same are in a relatively cool, contracted condition, thereby contributing to the effectivenessof the furnace circulation as a whole.

The upper part of the combustion chamber are thus made into a single solid unit or radiator in which there is a continuous flue travel from the combustion chamber through the upper flues of the upper section and then down into the lower section.

.I-consider it novel with me to provide a furnace including a combustion chamber and a radiator having a plurality of vertically arranged radiator sections, the uppermost of which communicates with the furnace combustion chamber and receives fuel gases therefrom and the lowermost of which discharges to a flue, manifold or breeching, in which construction each .of the radiator sections has a plurality of inner smaller and outer larger arcuate flues or flue elements arranged to circulate the fuel gases progressively from the upper to the lower section with a uniform equalized radiation of heat to the air circulating past the same. In such a construction a maximum of radiating surface is available for the volume occupied by the unit. Likewise in such a construction I consider it novel with me to employ such hollow flue elements of a vertically, elongated, annularcharacter to the end that the occurrence of localized, stratified zones of excessive or deficient heat are eliminated.

I have illustrated and described my improvements in connection with a multiple flue installation in which two sections having two pairs of inner and outer arcuately arranged flues are employed to circulate gases progressively throughthe unit. I have likewise had extremely desirable results with a unit in which each section corresponding to sections 8, 9 is provided with three pairs of flues, namely, inner, intermediate and outer, the flues of each pair being incommunication at the ends of their arcuateconfiguration, and of progressively increasing capacity in that order, in the same manner-'as'in the eonstruction illustrated. This provides greater heating capacity with an economy of space-corresponding to and in fact greater than the economyeffected in the embodiment of; Figs. 1 and 2.

The inner arcuate radiator sections are preferably narrower than the outer ones as shown in the drawing. When instead of using two radiators disposed concentrically, three aroused. the structures will be progressively greater from inner to outer radiator section. This tends to equalize the heat transfer to the heated air in both constructions. I

The safety or blow-out closure elements of the present construction prevent damage due to, ex-

plosion, at the same time furnishing openings of amplesizeprovicling ready: access to the interior of the various radiator sections for cleaning and inspection; Suitable cleaning tools are readily appliedtothe iiues from either end: of the individual sections. .The structure is compact, extremely inexpensive and readily installed by comparatively unskilled workmen. ,1 V

An embodiment of the invention which incorporates the principles of the invention in a highly desirable manner hasbeen illustrated and described, though I am aware that other modificae tions within the intentof the invention may suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. ,It should beunderstood that the-foregoing'terminolcgy is used only descriptively rather than in a limiting sense, and with full intention to include equivalents of the features shownand described, within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: v

1. A combustion and radiator unit comprising a vertically elongated cylindrical combustion chamber of steel having a plurality of axially spaced radiator sectionsin radially spaced, concentric relationship adjacent the upper end thereof, said sections being of welded steel construction and having means for rigidly attaching the same in the foregoing telescoped relation to said combustion chamber and comprising pairs of inner and outer concentric arcuate flues ofvertically elongated, relatively narrow, hollow section to prevent thermal stratification and the occurrence of non-uniformly heated zones therein, with resultant non-uniform heat-transfer through the walls thereof, the respective inner and outer flues being in open communicating relation at the ends thereof, saidcombustion chamber having a flue gas discharge of substantial size at one side communicating with the uppermost of said sections adjacent one end of the respective pairs of flues, the gases emanating from said discharge diverging and entering said flues for arcuate circulation through the latter, said uppermost section having a passage located adjacent the'opposite end of the respective 'flues thereof for communicating said uppermost section with the section beneath the same, the flue gases traversing said last named passage from the uppermostto the lower section thereafter diverging and simultaneously circulating in the opposite direction through the respective pairs of flues of the lower section, the inner flues of said sections being narrower in horizontal dimension than the outer to equalize the rate of heat transfer therefrom, the lowermost of said sections communicating with a stack or breeching, and means for circulating air to be heated upwardly externally of said combustion chamber and through the space adjacent said inner and outer lines.

2. A combustion and radiator unit comprising a vertically elongated cylindrical combustion chamber of steel having a plurality of axially spaced radiator sections in radially spaced, concentric relationship adjacent the upper end thereof, said sections being of welded steel construction and having means for rigidly attaching the same in the foregoing telescoped relation to said combustion chamber and comprising pairs of inner and outer concentric arcuate flues of vertically elongated, relatively narrow, hollow section to prevent thermal stratification and the occurrence of non-uniformly heated zones therein, with resultant non-uniform heat transfer through the Walls thereof, the respective inner and outer flues being in open communicating relation at theends thereof, said combustion chamber communicating with the uppermost of said sections adjacent one end of the respective pairs of flues, whereby gases emanating from said chamber enter saidiflues for arcuate circulation through the latter, said uppermost section having a passage located adjacent the opposite end of the respective flues thereof for communicating said uppermost section with the section beneath the same, the flue gases traversing said last named passage from the uppermost to the lower section thereafter diverging and simultaneously circulating in the opposite direction through the respective pairs of. flues of the lower section, the lowermost of said, sections communicating with a stack or breeching, and means for circulating air to be heated up: wardly externally of said combustion chamber and through the space adjacent said innerand outer flues.

3. A combustion and radiator unit comprising a vertically elongated cylindrical combustion chamber of steel having a plurality of axiallycating relation at the ends thereof, said combus-V tion chamber communicating with the uppermost of said sections adjacent one end of the respective pairs of flues, whereby gases emanating from said chamber enter said flues; for arcuate circulation through the latter, said uppermost section having a passage located adjacentthe opposite end of the respective flues thereof for communicating said uppermost section with the section beneath the same, the flue gases traversing said last named passage from the uppermost to the lower section thereafter diverging and simultaneously circulating in the opposite direction through the respective pairs of flues of the lower section, the lowermost of said sections.

communicating with a stack or breaching, and; means for circulating air to be heated upwardly externally of said combustion chamber .and

through the space adjacent said inner and outer, flues.

4. A combustion and radiator unit comprising a Vertically elongated cylindrical combustion chamber of steel having a plurality of axially spaced radiator sections in radially spaced, concentric relationship, said sections comprising pairs of inner and outer concentric arcuate flues, the respective inner and outer flues being in open communicating relation at the ends thereof, said combustion chamber communicating with the uppermost of said sections adjacent one end of the respective pairs of flues, whereby gases emanating from said chamber enter said flues for arcuate circulation through the latter, said uppermost section having a passage located adjacent the opposite end of the respective flues thereof for communicating said uppermost section with the section beneath the same, the flue gases traversing said last named passage from the uppermost to the lower section thereafter diverging and simultaneously circulating in the opposite direction through the respective pairs of flues of the lower section, the lowermost of said sections communicating with a stack or breeching, and means for circulating air to be heated upwardly externally of said combustion cham,-.

her and through. the space adjacent said inner and outer fiues.

5. In a heating unit, a vertically elongated combustion chamber, and a plurality of similar annular radiating sections: disposed concentrically of said combustion chamber in vertically spaced relation to one another, said sections each comprising concentrical inner and outer flues spaced horizontally by vertical air circulating openings therebetween, said flues being incommunication at the ends thereof, and being of narrow, vertically elongated hollow section, the innermost flue being of substantially less width and volumetric capacity than the outer to equalize the rate of heat transfer therefrom, the uppermost of said sections being in communication With said combustion chamber adjacent one communicating end of the inner and outer flues thereof and in communication with the lower section at a point diametrically spaced therefrom but in corresponding relation to the opposite end of the flues of the lower section, whereby gases discharged from said chamber into said upper section successively traverse the fiues of said upper and lower section in opposite directions.

6. In a heating unit, a vertically elongated combustion chamber and a plurality of similar annular radiating sections disposed concentrically of said combustion chamber in vertically spaced relation to one another, said sections each comprising concentric inner and outer fiues spaced horizontally by vertical air circulating openings therebetween, said flues being in communication at the ends thereof, the uppermost of said sections being in communication-with said combustion chamber adjacent one communicating end of the inner and outer flues thereof and in communication with the lower section at a point diametrically spaced therefrom but in corresponding relation to the opposite end of the fiues of the lower section, whereby gases discharged from said chamber-into-said upper section successively traverse the fiues of said upper and lower section in opposite directions.

'7. A combustion and radiator unit comprising a vertically elongated cylindrical combustion chamber having a plurality of vertically spaced radiator sections secured in concentric telescoping relation tothe. upper end thereof, comprising pairs of hollow inner and outer concentric arcuate fiues of relatively narrow, vertically elongated, hollow section to prevent thermal Stratification therein, said fiues being in open communicating relation with one another at the ends thereof, said chamber having a flue discharge communicating with one end of the respective pairs of flues of the upper section for the simultaneous circulation of flue. gasestherethrough, means for communicating said sections with one another adjacent the opposite end of the respective upper section fiues, the flue gases traversing said communicating means from the upper to the lower section thereafter simultaneously circulating through the respective pairs of flues of the lower section in an opposite direction, the inner flues of said sections being narrower in horizontal dimension than the uppermost, whereby to equalize the rate of heat transfer from the inner and outer fiues, and means for circulating air to be heated upwardly past said combustion chamber and through the space surrounding said inner and outer fiues.

8. A combustion and radiator unit comprising a vertically elongated cylindrical combustion chamber having a plurality of vertically spaced radiator sections secured in concentric telescoping relation to the upper end thereof comprising pairs of hollow inner and outer concentric arcuate flues of relatively narrow, vertically elongated, hollow section to prevent thermal stratification therein, said fiues being in open communicating relation with one another at the ends thereof, said chamber having a flue discharge communicating with oneend of the respective pairs of fluesof the upper section for the simultaneous circulation of flue gases therethrough, means for communicating said sections with one another adjacent the opposite end of the respective uppersection flues, the flue gases traversing said communicating means from the upper to the lower section thereafter simultaneously circulating through the respective pairs of outer flues.

SIDNEY VOLK. 

